A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis
Crash safety barriers are essential safety measures on public roadways and in motorsports. The crashworthiness of these barriers is often predicted using the finite element (FE) method. However, employing the FE method for large-scale crash analysis is time-consuming and computationally expensive. T...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024021133 |
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| _version_ | 1841527973366202368 |
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| author | Bhavinkumar Arya Jianchun Yao John Laurence Davy Mohammad Fard |
| author_facet | Bhavinkumar Arya Jianchun Yao John Laurence Davy Mohammad Fard |
| author_sort | Bhavinkumar Arya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Crash safety barriers are essential safety measures on public roadways and in motorsports. The crashworthiness of these barriers is often predicted using the finite element (FE) method. However, employing the FE method for large-scale crash analysis is time-consuming and computationally expensive. This paper introduces a novel application of the soft-body physics simulation method for crashworthiness analysis, comparing it with the popular FE simulation method and physical crash tests. The study details the ‘bottom-up’ approach for developing a mass-spring model for soft-body simulation and the development of an FE model of the tyre barrier system used in Formula One racetracks. Results from both numerical methods are validated against physical test results by comparing the vehicle's peak acceleration, rebound velocity, maximum intrusion into the barrier, and CORA rating. Both methods demonstrated a close correlation with physical crash tests, predicting the peak g-force on a crash vehicle within 1 g accuracy and the maximum intrusion within 8 cm accuracy. While the FE method exhibited higher accuracy, the mass-spring model offered superior computational efficiency, making it particularly suitable for simulating a variety of crash configurations. The research concludes that although FE simulation remains a mainstay for crash simulations, soft-body physics simulation should not be overlooked because of its efficiency and versatility. This novel engineering application can significantly expedite the analysis of safety barriers for testing various crash scenarios, including different vehicle types, impact speeds, and angles. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-47af57d11978449cb11ae65988380636 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-47af57d11978449cb11ae659883806362025-01-15T04:11:49ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-03-0125103870A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysisBhavinkumar Arya0Jianchun Yao1John Laurence Davy2Mohammad Fard3School of Engineering, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria, 3085, Australia; Corresponding author.School of Engineering, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria, 3085, AustraliaSchool of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria, 3085, AustraliaCrash safety barriers are essential safety measures on public roadways and in motorsports. The crashworthiness of these barriers is often predicted using the finite element (FE) method. However, employing the FE method for large-scale crash analysis is time-consuming and computationally expensive. This paper introduces a novel application of the soft-body physics simulation method for crashworthiness analysis, comparing it with the popular FE simulation method and physical crash tests. The study details the ‘bottom-up’ approach for developing a mass-spring model for soft-body simulation and the development of an FE model of the tyre barrier system used in Formula One racetracks. Results from both numerical methods are validated against physical test results by comparing the vehicle's peak acceleration, rebound velocity, maximum intrusion into the barrier, and CORA rating. Both methods demonstrated a close correlation with physical crash tests, predicting the peak g-force on a crash vehicle within 1 g accuracy and the maximum intrusion within 8 cm accuracy. While the FE method exhibited higher accuracy, the mass-spring model offered superior computational efficiency, making it particularly suitable for simulating a variety of crash configurations. The research concludes that although FE simulation remains a mainstay for crash simulations, soft-body physics simulation should not be overlooked because of its efficiency and versatility. This novel engineering application can significantly expedite the analysis of safety barriers for testing various crash scenarios, including different vehicle types, impact speeds, and angles.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024021133Physically-based modellingFinite element analysisSoft-body physicsMass-spring modelCrash safety barrierFormula one safety |
| spellingShingle | Bhavinkumar Arya Jianchun Yao John Laurence Davy Mohammad Fard A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis Results in Engineering Physically-based modelling Finite element analysis Soft-body physics Mass-spring model Crash safety barrier Formula one safety |
| title | A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis |
| title_full | A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis |
| title_fullStr | A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis |
| title_short | A novel and fast crash simulation method: Revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis |
| title_sort | novel and fast crash simulation method revolutionising racetrack safety barrier analysis |
| topic | Physically-based modelling Finite element analysis Soft-body physics Mass-spring model Crash safety barrier Formula one safety |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024021133 |
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